[Main indications for upper digestive endoscopy].

Abstract

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGI) is now widely accepted as the first-line examination of the digestive tract. UGI provides the diagnosis of most oesophageal and gastroduodenal diseases such as ulcer, cancer or oesophagitis. It is also valuable in the diagnosis of chronic diarrhoea, immunodeficiencies (immunoglobulin deficiency) and in AIDS patients. Improvements in disinfection and anesthesia make UGI a safe and well-tolerated procedure. Finally, it is, of course, the gold standard for the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhages and in many cases requiring endoscopic therapy.